I celebrated George Abaraonye's defeat but now fear woke entitlement is accelerating Britain's decline - Lee Cohen

Abaraonye’s gleeful celebration of Charlie Kirk’s assassination—captured in his social media postings was not just a personal failing but a symptom of a deeper malaise afflicting Britain’s elite institutions.

This incident, unfolding across the Atlantic, resonates with those of us who cherish the United Kingdom’s legacy of intellectual rigour and decorum.

The Oxford Union, a cradle of British debate and a symbol of the nation’s commitment to free thought, has been tarnished by a leader whose conduct suggests he was elevated beyond his merits.

Reports of Abaraonye’s subpar academic credentials and his reliance on diversity-driven admissions policies raise troubling questions about whether he earned his place or was handed it as a token gesture.

This mirrors a broader transatlantic trend where talent is sidelined in favour of identity, a practice that undermines the very principles that made the Anglosphere a beacon of excellence.

The backlash from Union members, who acted decisively to restore sanity, is a heartening sign that traditional values still hold sway among some.

Yet, the fact that Abaraonye garnered any support—let alone enough to become president-elect—points to a troubling shift.

His supporters, accused of intimidating electoral officials, seem to embody a breed of woke entitlement that dismisses accountability and revels in disruption.

This is not the Britain of Churchill or the Oxford of yesteryear, where respect for tradition and reasoned discourse reigned supreme.

Instead, we see a figure who, clad in joggers and a Batman T-shirt during formal proceedings, appears to mock the institution he was meant to lead.

Abaraonye’s defence—that his comments were impulsive and misconstrued—rings hollow when viewed against his broader behaviour. Leaked texts

Suggesting his leadership bid was fuelled by resentment toward “privileged white boys” reveal a mindset that prioritises grievance over governance.

This is not leadership; it’s a tantrum dressed up as progressivism.

The Oxford Union’s initial hesitation to act, coupled with the racial abuse Abaraonye faced, complicates the narrative, but it does not absolve him.

Free speech, a traditional cornerstone of British liberty, must not shield those who celebrate violence, especially against a figure like Kirk, whose conservative activism, while polarising, was a testament to open debate.

Many on our side of the Atlantic are alarmedly taking notice that Britain stands at a crossroads.

Like other parts of society, Britain's elite universities, once the envy of the world, are increasingly seen as battlegrounds for ideological skirmishes rather than citadels of learning.

The trending discourse on social media, where users decry Abaraonye as a “diversity hire” and a “nasty little thug,” reflects a growing frustration with policies that prioritise optics over substance.

This echoes the concerns of transatlantic patriots like JD Vance and Elon Musk, who fear that Britain’s cultural identity—built on fairness, tradition, and merit—is eroding under the weight of progressive dogma.

Consider the broader implications. If Oxford, a bastion of British intellectual life, can be hijacked by someone who flouts its norms, what hope remains for other institutions?

The Union’s decision to hold a new election is a step toward redemption, but it cannot erase the damage done. Abaraonye’s fall should prompt a reckoning: Are Britain’s universities still committed to nurturing the best minds, or have they become playgrounds for the self-entitled? The answer lies in whether future leaders are chosen for their intellect and character, not their ability to check diversity boxes.

This episode also highlights the global stakes. Charlie Kirk’s assassination, mourned by worldwide conservatives as a loss to free thought, underscores the fragility of open discourse. For a nation that once shaped the world’s values, this is a moment to reclaim its moral authority, not cede it to those who revel in chaos.

British cousins: I urge you to see this as a call to action. Demand that your leaders and institutions reflect the Britain the world reveres—one of resilience, tradition, and merit.

The Oxford Union’s members have shown the way with their vote; now, let the nation follow. Like Kirk’s death, Abaraonye’s departure is not the end but a beginning—a chance to restore the dignity of a land that has long inspired the world, particularly this admiring American